The Picketts’ Off-Grid Family Adventure in an Airstream

Extreme skier-turned tech entrepreneur Kina Pickett is no stranger to working from the road. He and his family are fully embracing the concept that living, educating, and working anywhere is entirely feasible. Having purchased a vintage 1971 Airstream International Travel Trailer earlier this year, the Picketts are embarking on a full-time off-grid journey.

Family Setup for Off-Grid Living

Founder of ZPPR, a content-sharing platform, Kina has transitioned to full-time road living with his wife Nellie and their two young children, Ashur and Story. They have made arrangements to ensure their family of four has everything necessary for comfortable living, including:

• A composting toilet
• Solar energy systems
• Cooking facilities

Moreover, Kina and Nellie are intentional about fostering an educational environment for their children while living off-grid. To achieve this, they have relied on the expertise of Kina’s mother, a retired teacher with over 40 years of experience. She has crafted a curriculum specially tailored for their preschool and first-grade-aged children.

Immersive Learning in Nature

The proximity to nature has fostered a truly immersive learning experience. “We were in the Canyonlands hunting for dinosaur tracks and looking for wall paintings—the kids were floored,” Kina shared. “They couldn’t understand why we were doing this all the time. For now, we’re in no hurry to put them back in school. We can educate them from the camper and take full advantage of this unique opportunity.”

Safety and Communication During Travel

During the first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns, the Picketts found solace in their off-grid lifestyle. With minimal human interaction, they could relax while enjoying the serene environments of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest before journeying east toward South Dakota. Kina maintains communication with clients using hotspot technology and satellite connections.

The Joy of Road Living

Kina expresses that the best part of their lifestyle is, “the endless adventure, being outdoors in nature, and exploring the country at our own pace, all while maintaining connectivity to work, school, friends, and family. You get to choose your destination, decide what to see, and when to stop for meals.” This flexibility allows for a more enriching experience.

Recently, the Picketts collaborated with Airstream and Matador Network to document their story and experiences while traveling the United States. In the coming month, Airstream plans to provide the family with a work-from-anywhere travel trailer, incorporating workstations and technology suited for off-grid living to explore further.